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'It's not necessary anymore': Aer Lingus wants rid of the two-week quarantine for people flying into Ireland

The Irish airline has echoed calls made by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary.

IRISH AIRLINE AER Lingus has called for the Irish government to drop the recommended two-week quarantine period for those who return from abroad.

Anyone who arrives in Ireland is asked to self-isolate for two weeks and is required by law to fill out a Passenger Locator Form, which allows authorities to carry out follow-up checks to ensure that people are staying put, and to help with contact tracing if necessary.

In an interview today on Nuacht a hAon on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Donal Moriarty, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer with Aer Lingus, said that the government had an obligation to drop the quarantine for passengers coming into Ireland, and that the industry needed more clarity around travel advice to be able to open up to tourism again.

Speaking with Cormac Ó hEadhra, Moriarty said Ireland should follow the example of other European countries as they open up their economies again to tourism.

“We don’t think it’s necessary [quarantine]. In other countries in the EU, tourism is starting up again, or they have certainty around dates when they can open again…

“For example, Spain is opening at the start of July, and they have no quarantine.”

It’s clear that we’re doing well in the fight against the coronavirus and we have the statistics, they are strong, and they are comparable to other countries who are opening up again to travel and tourism.

“We believe that the government has an obligation to change their [travel] advice, and to end the quarantine requirement, we don’t think it’s necessary anymore.”

He said that Aer Lingus thought that flights would begin again in July, but that they weren’t able to name destinations due to a lack of clarity from the Irish government.

“Things aren’t as clear as they should be, especially in terms of the government advice on travel. They must change that, or give new advice, as regards international travel.

There’s no ban at the moment, but the advice is not to travel unless absolutely necessary… and as well as that, we have the two-week quarantine for incoming passengers.

“So, we really need new advice from the government before we can implement the new system for EU flights.”

In relation to recently announced pay cuts by Aer Lingus, Moriarty said that had been a very difficult decision but “we had no other choice.”

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    Mute Dr. James Smart
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    Jun 4th 2020, 7:51 PM

    Aerlingus why don’t you process your refund promises or at least offer the option of vouchers.

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    Mute Daniel Kelly
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    Jun 4th 2020, 7:55 PM

    @Dr. James Smart: Vouchers would never work as they would have a use by date. Thereafter, any airline could increase the cost of a flight in the period the voucher has to be used by making the value of the voucher next to worthless. I’d say refunds are required to avoid the above scenario?

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    Mute Shimo Tbay
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    Jun 4th 2020, 7:59 PM

    @Dr. James Smart: The refund option is there on the website but you need to dig deep really deep to find it. Not obvious at all but it is there

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    Mute 8-Bit-Relic
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:02 PM

    @Shimo Tbay: I have only received an email that they are busy and applief a month later for the voucher. I haven’t received anything so far…. but now the flight is cancelled and I can fo the chargeback if I insist. Probably do it as they could have written something since then

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    Mute Niall Bourke
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:03 PM

    @Daniel Kelly: Is it not illegal to put a use by date on vouchers?

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    Mute Paddy Reid
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:17 PM

    @Dr. James Smart: three vouchers received from Ryanair. They’re playing a binder. Neither of two I’m expecting from Aer Lingus. Desperate service.

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    Mute John Murphy
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:19 PM

    @Daniel Kelly: An 18 or 30 month use by date might avoid that problem. I just moved my holiday flights till the autumn instead because I wasn’t sure when I’d ever get a refund.

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    Mute biggybald
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:23 PM

    @Daniel Kelly: The use by date for my vouchers are 5 years

    17
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    Mute Dr. James Smart
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:46 PM

    @Paddy Reid: I agree. The Ryanair vouchers arrived within 2 weeks. All 5 vouchers used already. Ryanair is a great Irish success story.

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    Mute Dr. James Smart
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:48 PM

    @Daniel Kelly: I’ll gladly take a voucher off aerlingus. Frequent flier here, I applied for 6 and none have arrived. Ryanair have put them to shame

    15
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    Mute Ciarān
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    Jun 4th 2020, 10:47 PM

    @Dr. James Smart: I applied for an Aer lingus refund as soon as my flight was cancelled about a month ago and I got my money back in to my account last week

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    Mute Paul Potts
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    Jun 4th 2020, 7:57 PM

    Completely agree. Open up our Economy.

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    Mute Gavin Mckenna
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:24 PM

    @Paul Potts: Doctor Potts. Thank You for your input.

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    Mute Patrick Agnew
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    Jun 4th 2020, 7:57 PM

    Very few are going to go for a weeks holiday then have to stay in the house for another fortnight. That’s the average workers annual holidays used up. A lot will break the quarantine instead. Right or wrong it’s going to happen. As Michael O’Leary said, it’s unenforceable.

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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:14 PM

    @Patrick Agnew: sure its a complete farce – they take a mobile number to use for follow up contact – seriously.

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    Mute Joe
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    Jun 4th 2020, 9:44 PM

    @Patrick Agnew: it’s great if you’re working from home.

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    Mute Kevin Tyrrell
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    Jun 4th 2020, 7:59 PM

    In the long run the isolation of people flying into Ireland may well benefit the Irish tourist trade. Me and the wife has planned a trip abroad this year. Instead we are going to Leitrim and Sligo for 2 weeks at the end of the summer. Some scenery, hiking, go round the North West. Will be nice. The place we booked is booked out solid for July, August and Sept. now, so we were lucky we booked early enough. I would imagine, hotels, B&Bs, Airbnb accommodation will see lots of Irish people planning staycations. And why not??? We live in a beautiful country and our tourist trade needs the boost. All my work colleagues and most friends I have spoken to are doing the same…booking hotels or B&Bs and seeing our country. Aer Lingus and Ryanair rightly want to start ferrying passengers again but our indigenous tourist industry will do just find if we all support it and holiday at home this summer.

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    Mute Kevin Tyrrell
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:01 PM

    @Kevin Tyrrell: sorry…that should have read : Me and the wife HAD planned a trip abroad this year.

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    Mute Niall Bourke
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:07 PM

    @Kevin Tyrrell: Support it. The prices will be great as accommodation will be aplenty. It might even be that way next year but enjoy it while you can. Remember the way we all supported the Irish tourist industry after the 2009 meltdown? What did we get for thanks? Once the foreign holidaymakers returned they jacked up the prices again and have us the middle finger.

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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:26 PM

    @Kevin Tyrrell: agree 100%. – but I expect the freedom to choose for myself if i should pay the rip off prices in Ireland – i was quoted 300 euro last august for one night in city hotel arriving back from Australia – the price gouging because it is ‘peak season’ of Irish people in this country who do staycations is pretty disgraceful in ordinary times – I just dont like the idea of ‘having’ to stay in Ireland because authorities say so – i agree we have a great country but the freedom to choose where to holiday should be resumed asap – Italy etc had 800 deaths a day and are open up for visitors – we are playing silly buggars in Ireland as usual with our self inflicted economic wounds hampering tourism and all other SMEs that form the back bone of the country. It’s pretty selective and disgraceful the decision making process with this pandemic – constantly refer to how ‘other European Countries do things ‘ when we want to introduce new taxes or some BS sugar tax or levies but of course can’t possibly look to them for how they do things well like jump start economies. Look at the German stimulus earlier today – really smart intelligent approach while we play out the decisions like a cross between a greek ferry company and a bingo hall committee – farce

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    Mute Kevin Tyrrell
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:40 PM

    @Dave Hammond: I can see your point of view of course Dave and yes a greater choice is always preferable. And yes, it would be nice to see the Irish tourist industry and especially accommodation repay any loyalty that the Irish pay them, but I guess they will always operate to suit themselves and extract as much as they can for their service. But anyways…when life gives you lemons and all…but we are looking forward to our trip to the North West…got an Airbnb for a great price…going to hike Benbulben, see some sites and have a relaxing time. Hopefully you get to enjoy the summer too. Take care…

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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Jun 4th 2020, 9:00 PM

    @Kevin Tyrrell: cheers enjoy your holiday – i thought the govt and tourism industry missed an open goal of an opportunity – they should accept that US and UK visitors will not be coming and offered some amazing deals for staycations – there is no reason they couldnt drop prices significantly and fill up hotels all over the island with irish people moving around and enjoying a much needed break – giving them the opportunity to experience the amazing places and full irish experience could set the precedent for years ahead to reduce our reliance on oversesa visitors – zero rate vat – extend license open hours – kids free – discounted drinks and meals – happy hours – tourist attraction discounts – free parking at cliff of moher – wild atlantic way discounts – the list is endless with a bit of imagination and the right attitude – but no we are sluggishly managing a reopening and will try rail people into paying top dollar to try make up for ‘lost revenues’ – I wish i wasnt so cynical but its difficult watching the decisions we are making at the moment. Enjoy your summer ;-)

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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
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    Jun 4th 2020, 9:42 PM

    @Kevin Tyrrell: As no tourist accommodation will be open until 20 July and pubs not until August, I imagine I’ll be going abroad. Travel restrictions are also limiting choices in Ireland

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    Mute J
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    Jun 4th 2020, 10:53 PM

    @Kevin Tyrrell: Ireland is a rip off why else do you think you can go on a weeks holiday to Spain for half the price and with actual nice weather.

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    Mute flamrock
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    Jun 4th 2020, 11:19 PM

    @Kevin Tyrrell: Kevin go over to mayo, Lennanne, and the killary fjord, around by achill Island.up through Enniscrone.Easkey. it’s God’s country. Take a haunt down to doolin, have a pot of mussles in o Connors pub. Forget about the tourist traps.enjoy your summer.

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    Mute Jasen Norris
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    Jun 4th 2020, 11:56 PM

    We looked at staying in Ireland. First a week in wexford 4 star hotel has put their prices up by €450 for a week. A friend rents a cottage in the west…gone up by €1000 for a week too. This seems to be a pattern. Alot of countries are making offers to attract visitor’s…why not here. Were all in this together me hoop

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    Mute BmcG
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:03 PM

    They’re right cancel all restrictions with immediate affect

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    Mute Derek Moean
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    Jun 4th 2020, 7:54 PM

    Air Lingus REFUND!!!!!!

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    Mute Robert
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:02 PM

    Waiting 3 months for vouchers , no response from the company , disgraceful

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    Mute Bountyop
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:37 PM

    I was not aware that a ‘quarantine’ was in place, just that you sign a bit of paper and then responsibly self isolate. An airline is not an infectious diseases expert, especially ones that were loading flights to the UK, and then said they’d ‘look into it’ when caught. Australasia seem to be managing just fine with a real quarantine. Why should we follow Italy and Spain, who were actually rubbish at containing the virus. Why can’t people accept that they should embark on essential travel only and not go on an overseas holiday? Sounds like a bit of a first world whinge to me…

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    Mute Darren Carroll
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:22 PM

    Yeah great idea, just let anybody in and let them go anywhere

    39
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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:26 PM

    They’d like Ireland to rule that it’s not necessary to quarantine people. Flying from where, though? Naturally they’ll sell flights to anywhere. But some countries have it under control for now. Others are still in a bad way. It’s hardly a good idea to start letting people travel here without any sort of testing and tracing at the least.

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    Mute Sean Whelan
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    Jun 4th 2020, 7:59 PM

    I got a refund from Aer lingus today

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    Mute Dr. James Smart
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:56 PM

    @Sean Whelan: Any tips on how you got the refund?… or was it just pot luck?

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    Mute Virgil
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    Jun 4th 2020, 9:33 PM

    @Dr. James Smart: I got one a couple of weeks ago. They might be doing it in tranches. Patience, you’ll get it

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    Mute Sean Whelan
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    Jun 5th 2020, 11:08 AM

    @Dr. James Smart: Sorry I just seen your message now
    I rang them and told them I didn’t want a voucher, they gave me a case number and told me that they were dealing with a lot of cases and it would take some time to process, I insisted on some kind of timeframe, they told me 2 weeks, so I rang back after 4 weeks and have them my claim number and received my refund a week later.

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    Mute Alan Egan
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    Jun 4th 2020, 9:43 PM

    Since when does Aer Lingus and Ryanair become medically qualified to make the call to do away with the 2 week isolation upon return from abroad.
    Wasn’t that what got us into the shit in the 1st place.
    People returning home from
    1. Cheltenham
    2. Liverpool game.
    3. Sking holiday
    4. Flight into Ireland and travel to the North.
    Have they short memories.
    Aer lingus packing flight s out and into the country on a daily basis.

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    Mute Paul Potts
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    Jun 4th 2020, 9:50 PM

    @Alan Egan: They are taking medical guidance from both EASA and ECDC, both higher medical authorities than our National ones.

    These agencies recommend protocols to be followed to safely allow air travel to begin again.

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    Mute Matthew Delaney
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:43 PM

    Any chance of that refund lads?

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    Mute Richard Brogan
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:41 PM

    Dr Aer lingus thanks so much for your opinion. We all feel much better now. Right leave everyone in nobody needs to self isolate.

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    Mute Danny Ella
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    Jun 4th 2020, 9:06 PM

    I, me, myself and I are not traveling to Benidorm this year, oh we are so so good. ..because all you can think is self.
    Most of the irish have family, in particular children that live in let’s say the other side of the ocean.
    We or I want to go and hug my child…no, not all of us want to go to Benidorm to get drunk and smoke grass. …
    For that reason it’s better to stay put in Ireland.
    So, no I don’t want to fly to Australia or Usa or Canada for a week and stay a fortnight in quarantine on return.
    And no, I shouldn’t pick up the bill for the test if this is the way.
    So, you good people of Ireland don’t assume that all of us want just to go in holidays some of us want to hug our children.

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    Mute Bountyop
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    Jun 4th 2020, 9:17 PM

    @Danny Ella: If some of us just want to hug our children- then by all means fly over and do this. If you don’t want to adhere with what other countries are doing…it’s your choice

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    Mute Catherine Gaffney
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    Jun 4th 2020, 8:54 PM

    Staff returning to work after a trip overseas will not be allowed to return to work by their employers. Just asking???

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    Mute Tim Quigley
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    Jun 4th 2020, 10:36 PM

    Waiting 3 months already for 6 Ryanair refunds

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    Mute flamrock
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    Jun 5th 2020, 1:00 PM

    @Tim Quigley: you think that’s bad, I’m waiting 6 months for three refunds.

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    Mute flamrock
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    Jun 5th 2020, 12:24 AM

    I’m on the dole.will I have to sign in every week, last year when I went to Spain for a month I got my brother to sign in for me, “we look alike” I hope they don’t expect me to hang around the ring of Kerry for the whole summer.. think this year we will bring our 35 ft camper and go across on the ferry.its only e 1500 return..let me see. E350 per week , mmm e 1400 a month, oh and children’s allowance another e90. its not ideal but it’s better than working.roll on summer.

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    Mute Aidan Costelloe
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    Jun 5th 2020, 1:12 AM

    @flamrock: lol

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    Mute John Daniels
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    Jun 5th 2020, 6:59 AM

    So they want tourists to be able to move around among us while we stay in our 20k lockdown. No a health decision but economic one

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    Mute John
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:49 AM

    It’s more necessary now than before. What was the point of having a lockdown if we don’t take measures sustain low case numbers?

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    Mute ed w
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    Jun 5th 2020, 7:42 AM

    @John: we never had a lockdown or quarantine when we needed it it in early march. now the gov are pretending they are trying to do something

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    Mute Aidan Conway
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    Jun 5th 2020, 12:36 AM

    How ridiculous!
    Coronavirus was brought to ireland by plane!
    4% of our cases are from people who came back to ireland… Those 4% infected everyone else.
    Keep travellers out.

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    Mute flamrock
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    Jun 5th 2020, 1:16 AM

    @Aidan Conway: Keep travellers out…you cannot call them ” travellers” anymore.they are. ” indigenous nomadic Celtic tribal people.”" “”"Really “”

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    Mute ed w
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    Jun 5th 2020, 7:41 AM

    @Aidan Conway: jeez you want to see what happens when a country runs out of money again.

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    Mute flamrock
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    Jun 5th 2020, 1:18 AM

    Two AIDANS. Are ye related.

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    Mute flamrock
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    Jun 5th 2020, 12:54 PM

    I don’t know.im stuck here in Florida it’s 26 d, I’ve zero prospects of getting home anytime soon. I’m not crazy about the sand on the beaches it’s very fine, gets into all kinda or crevices, I could go back on the beer, but that’s not on, last time I was a mess, could anyone send me a few Bob to maybe buy a first class ticket home.. I don’t want to catch a poor man’s virus, so it has to be first class. I may never see my little house beside the cliffs again. Help.

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    Mute flamrock
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    Jun 5th 2020, 12:57 PM

    @flamrock: oh nearly forgot.could someone check on my car in Shannon, it’s the Morris minor with all the SF stickers in the long term parking.

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